The demand is in light of Holmes’ recent arrest on charges he stole funds from the Asbury Park Housing Authority.
Mark Holmes was sworn in as mayor of Lawrence in January 2004 by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-Lawrence). Holmes' baby Maleah is held by mom, the Rev. Marella Holmes. Staff Photo/ Stanley Brick Max Ramos and Glenn Collins, who are running for seats on the town council, released a letter they sent to Mayor James Kownacki demanding the audit, saying an audit is necessary “to ensure that the taxpayers of Lawrence were not victims of a similar scheme,” the pair said in a press release.
“As a taxpaying resident, I am concerned about the news that former councilman and mayor Mark W. Holmes has been arrested for stealing more than $75,000 from taxpayers while working as executive director of the Asbury Park Housing Authority,” Ramos wrote in the letter dated July 20.
Collins did not sign the letter but issued the joint press release with Ramos. They are running against Kownacki and Councilman Stephen Brame, both incumbents, for two council seats in the November.
Holmes, 52, was arrested July 11 and charged with having stolen the money during his term as executive director of the Asbury Park Housing Authority from December 2008 until April 2011, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said.
He has been charged with second-degree theft by deception after an investigation found he diverted state grant funds, collected reimbursements for unauthorized meals and double-dipped on per diem payments while traveling, Monmouth County Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.
“Because the charges against Mr. Holmes include irregularities in reimbursement for expenses, I am requesting that council order an audit of all spending and reimbursements by Mr. Holmes for the entire time he was on Lawrence Town Council,” Ramos wrote.
The letter was mailed to Kownacki on July 20, with copies sent to the rest of the council as well as the town clerk. Holmes served on the Lawrence council from 1997 until 2008, and as its mayor in 2004 and 2008. He resigned in 2008 saying his position with the housing authority created a conflict.
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